BRICKMAKERS ARMS – CAROUSEL FUN PUB, ST GEORGE STREET

Photo above of Brickmakers Arms, circa 1930 (Nick Miller Collection) – around the time it was rebuilt.

Earliest known record is circa 1830, which indicates it was an early beerhouse obtained during the 1830 Beer Act, which introduced licenses for 2 Guineas Jonathan Wilson the victualler.  He died in 1835, after what the LC reported to be a long and painful illness.  Incidentally, a Jonathan Wilson ran a brickmaker’s yard in Curzon Street.  He was killed 1849, aged thirty-eight, after falling from the top of a kiln.  It is not known if there was  any family connection.

Thomas Palmer took over after Wilson, as landlord he undertook the forming of a new branch of the Oddfellows, tho be named the St George Lodge in 1839,

Raplf Kirk is listed c1843 and John Siddall 1846 he transferred the licence to Ann Wilson Nov 1848. after the Brickmakers had been up for sale, together with the 14 adjoining tenements.

James Goodey then licensee in 1855. James Wife Rebecca died 3 years later aged 46.

Wm Markham 1861 is now victular and owner according to the Justice licensing records. Thomas Carvell 1877 is also listed as owner and landlord that year. Carvell was involved with a few Leicester pubs. Charles Bond victular in 1886.

Feb 1900 ad ad declared; WANTED STRONG GIRL-ONE FROM THE COUNTRY as servant for the Brickmakers Arms. John Talbot 1891 was licensee.

Brunt Bucknall Brewery are now the owners c1901, after a seemingly short lease to Jame Eadie Brewery.

In 1900, the pub was up for sale and leased to James Eadie, Burton Brewers. Brunt & Bucknall Brewery seemed to obtain the pub a year later 1901. George Henry Eaton was installed as licensee.

Wm Wilson 1904, Charles West Page was licensee 1906-he died-Margaret Page took the licence 1923, John Oldershaw 1924 victular, By now Thomas Salts had bought out Brunt & Bucknall c1919, in turn Bass was to obtain Salts c1927. meanwhile Albert James Hawker (son of the ‘Victorian Poacher) had taken on the Brickmakers 1925.

Incidentally Bass was the first registered ‘trademark’ in 1882.

Albert Edward James landlord 1931. Geoffrey Collumbell c1952 and Keith Brown 1957.

Taken from opposite angle. Northampton Street seems pretty deserted for what was normally the main Midland Red bus pick up for most of the south Leicester villages, Oadby, Wigston, Great Glen, Kibworth etc.  Queues would form right along Northampton Street –  a swift one in the Brickmakers or Spread Eagle to ease the stress of the working day on the way home.  One bus driver at the Oadby stop on route to Kibworth, would park outside outside the Black Dog and nip in for a snifter, leaving the passengers on the bus.

Around this time there were rumors of the infamous Kray Twins having some involvement with or at the Brickies

The Brickmakers changed its name to the Carousel Fun Pub pre 1980.  It was a ‘lively’ venue with plenty of characters, especially when the dancers (stripers) entertained.  As with most that went down this route it was short lived and closed circa 1985, demolished a couple of years later for the new ring road.

The Pub History Project has a podcast. Come, subscribe and have a listen with a pint of your favourite ale.